Spectacle design preferences among school children in Enugu State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Uncorrected refractive error has profound effects on children's educational and social development and spectacles are cost-effective in correcting this. However, the cosmetic appearance of spectacles may affect compliance to prescribed spectacles. AIMS: This study explored spectacle design preferences of school children in Enugu State, Nigeria and any associated sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional study among children aged 5-15 years from schools in Enugu state, Nigeria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The children independently selected from sets of spectacle frames, indicating their preferences on the basis of spectacle frame color, material, shape and size of the lens portion, design of the earpiece portions. Simple descriptive analysis was performed. Frequency tables were generated. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to test associations between categorical variables. Odds ratios were used to measure the strength of the associations where P < 0.05. Tests of significance were set at the 95% level. RESULTS: A total of 1,167 children (45.6% male and 54.4% female) were seen. Majority of the children preferred red colored spectacle frames 467 (40%), plastic frames 723 (62%), rectangular shaped lens-pieces (55.2%), and frames with a straight earpiece 987 (84.6%). There is a strong association between gender and choice of spectacle colour (P < 0.01), gender and lens size preference (P < 0.05), and between school location and shapes of spectacle earpiece (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Spectacle preferences exist among the study population and some demographic factors are associated with these preferences which should be considered in any childhood refractive error services.

Prevalence of refractive errors and visual impairment in school children in Enugu South-East Nigeria.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of refractive errors and causes of visual impairment in school children in Enugu State, South-eastern Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional, school-based survey in children aged 5-15 years from selected primary and junior secondary schools (public and private) in both urban and rural communities of Enugu State was carried out. Ocular examinations were performed on them according to the Refractive Error in School-age Children (RESC) protocol. RESULTS: A total of 1167 children were examined. The mean age (standard deviation) was 10.58 ± 3.0 years. Females were 653 (54.4%) of the study population. The uncorrected, presenting and best-corrected visual acuity of ≤20/40 (6/12) in the better eye of the children in this study were 3.6%. 3.5% and 0.4%. Among the children that had visual impairment, refractive error accounted for 33.3% of reduced vision while the overall prevalence of refractive error was 2.1%. Prevalence of myopia was 1.9% and hyperopia, 0.1%. The most prevalent astigmatism was ≤0.75 dioptre cylinder. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of refractive error in this study is low, with myopia being more common. Despite the low prevalence of refractive error, school vision screening is still important for African children as it serves as an opportunity to identify other ocular morbidities among the children.

Glaucoma care in Nigeria: Is the current practice poised to tackle this emerging sight-threatening disease?

PURPOSE: To investigate the current practice on glaucoma care with the aim of highlighting its poise to tackle this emerging sight-threatening disease in Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, population-based survey involving 88 ophthalmologists. Information on their demographic characteristics, practice profile, challenges and prospects on glaucoma care was collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire in August 2016. Data were analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: The participants are comprised of 46 (52.3%) males and 42 (47.7%) females, with a mean age of 42.2 ± 8.7 SD years. They were 45 (51.1%) consultants, 31 (35.2%) residents and 12 (13.6%) diplomates. Their years of practice were 8.8 ± 6.7 SD years. They worked mainly in government hospitals located at the southern part of Nigeria. The current practice was mainly comprehensive ophthalmology, 63 (71.6%). Only 2 (2.3%) had strict subspecialty practice. Others, 23 (26.1%), had combined practice. Eleven (12.5%) were glaucoma specialists and had combined practice. The majority of the participants, 57 (64.8%), were routinely diagnosed glaucoma properly. Sixty-three (71.6%) participants underwent trabeculectomy, 48 (54.5%) combined cataract surgery with trabeculectomy, 7 (8.0%) drainage implants, 5 (5.7%) laser trabeculoplasty, and 2 (2.3%) minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. Poor patients' acceptance and satisfaction, fear of complications, lengthy post-operative care and cost were the main deterrents to surgeries. Advocacy, public awareness, training of glaucoma specialists, provision of equipment and health insurance were the major recommendations on improving glaucoma care. CONCLUSION: Given the meagre number of specialists and lack of strict subspecialty practice, optimal glaucoma care in Nigeria is still far from reality.

Knowledge and attitudes towards eye diseases in a rural south-eastern Nigerian population.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge and attitudes concerning eye disorders are important socio-demographic parameters critical for eye care uptake and outcomes, especially in underserved populations. OBJECTIVES: To assess knowledge and attitudes concerning common eye disorders in a rural south-eastern Nigerian population. METHODS: The study was a population-based survey of knowledge and attitudes concerning common eye diseases conducted in Abagana community in September 2011. RESULTS: The participants comprised 263 males and 238 females. Their profile of good knowledge was eye infections: 38.9%; refractive error: 28.9%; cataracts: 18.0%; diabetic retinopathy: 8.0%; glaucoma: 5.8%; and overall good knowledge: 4.0%. Prevention and treatment of eye disorders were rated as first priorities over other major disabilities by 91.4% participants. Older age and formal education were the significant predictors of good knowledge. CONCLUSION: In Abagana, there is poor overall and disorder-specific knowledge of eye disorders. Socio-demographic factors are important determinants of knowledge. Community-based preventive eye health education is underscored.

Prevalence and profile of ophthalmic disorders in oculocutaneous albinism: a field report from South-Eastern Nigeria.

To assess the burden and spectrum of refractive and non-refractive ophthalmic disorders in south-eastern Nigerians with oculocutaneous albinism. In a population-based survey in Enugu state, between August, 2011 and January, 2012, albinos were identified using the database of the Enugu state's Albino Foundation, and mass media-based mobilisation. The participants were enrolled at the Eye Clinics of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital using a defined protocol. Relevant socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained from each participant. Descriptive and comparative statistics were performed. Statistical significance was indicated by p < 0.05. The participants (n = 153; males, 70) were aged 23.5 + 10.4 SD years (range 6-60 years). Both refractive and non-refractive disorders were present in all participants. Non-refractive disorders comprised nystagmus, foveal hypoplasia, hypopigmented fundi and prominent choroidal vessels in 100.0% participants; and strabismus in 16.3% participants. Refractive disorders comprised astigmatism -73.2% eyes, myopia -23.9% and hypermetropia 2.9%. Spherical refractive errors ranged from -14.00 DS to +8.00 DS while astigmatic errors ranged from -6.00 DC to +6 DC. Mixed refractive and non-refractive disorder i.e. presenting visual impairment was present in 100.0% participants. Overall, refractive error was associated with non-possession of tertiary education (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.38-0.96; p = 0.0374). There is high prevalence of refractive, non-refractive and mixed ophthalmic disorders among albinos in south-eastern Nigeria. This underscores the need for tailored provision of resources to address their eye care needs, and creation of needs awareness amongst them.

Oculocutaneous albinism: identifying and overcoming barriers to vision care in a Nigerian population.

To assess eye care service utilization, and identify access barriers in a south-eastern Nigerian albino population. The study was a population-based, cross-sectional survey conducted in Enugu state between August, 2011 and January, 2012. Using the data base of the state's Albino Foundation and tailored awareness creation, persons living with albinism were identified and recruited at two study centres. Data on participants' socio-demographics, perception of vision, visual needs, previous eye examination and or low vision assessment, use of glasses or low vision devices were collected. Reasons for non-utilisation of available vision care services were also obtained. Descriptive and comparative statistics were performed. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The participants (n = 153; males 70; females 83; sex ratio: 1:1.1) were aged 23.46 + 10.44 SD years (range 6-60 years). Most--95.4 % of the participants had no previous low vision assessment and none--0.0% had used low vision device. Of the participants, 82.4% reported previous eye examination, 33.3% had not used spectacles previously, despite the existing need. Ignorance--88.9% and poor access--8.5% were the main barriers to uptake of vision care services. In Enugu, Nigeria, there is poor awareness and low utilization of vision care services among people with albinism. The identified barriers to vision care access are amenable to awareness creation and logistic change in the provision of appropriate vision care services.

Antidiarrhoeal activity of leaf methanolic extract of Rauwolfia serpentina.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antidiarrhoeal property of methanol extract of the leaves of Rauwolfia serpentina (R. serpentina) in experimental diarrhoea induced by castor oil in mice. METHODS: Doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg R. serpentina leaf methanol extracts were administered to castor oil induced diarrhoea mice to determine its antidiarrhoeal activity. RESULTS: All doses of the extract and the reference drug atropine sulphate (3 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a dose-dependent reduction in intestinal weight and fluid volume. The extracts also significantly reduced the intestinal transit in charcoal meal test when compared to diphenoxylate Hcl (5 mg/kg, p.o.). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the extract of R. serpentina leaves has a significant antidiarrhoeal activity and supports its traditional uses in herbal medicine.

Prevalence and clinical picture of IDDM in Nigerian Igbo schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and clinical picture of IDDM in Nigerian Igbo schoolchildren born and living in continental Africa. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In three school districts (Ezza, Ishielu, Ohaukwu), 77,862 schoolchildren aged 5-17 yr answered our questionnaires on age, sex, known disease, drugs being taken, family history, and diabetic symptoms like polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and weight loss. Positive respondents were given glucosuric tests, and glucosuric subjects had hyperglycemic tests. Diagnosis of IDDM was established in hyperglycemic patients by referred hospital clinicians based on insulin requirements. RESULTS: Twelve new cases of IDDM were found in addition to 14 previously diagnosed cases, giving a CPR of 0.33/1000. Ishielu had a CPR of 0.46/1000 compared with 0.25 (P less than 0.01) for Ohaukwu. Boys had a CPR of 0.38/1000 compared with 0.25/1000 (P less than 0.06) for girls. Boy-to-girl prevalence ratio was approximately 3:1. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively high prevalence of IDDM in this poor African population, despite potential deaths caused by minimal medical attention, may be because of long-term protein malnutrition and endemic childhood infections, which have been implicated in the etiology of IDDM in similar malnourished populations.

Appraisal of retropublic sagittal prostatectomy.

An operative technique, called retropubic sagittal prostatectomy, is described. The technique is based on the surgical anatomy of the prostatic capsule, previously studied and reported by the author. Forty-two patients treated by the method are presented and compared with another group of 37 own patients who had earlier had Millin's retropubic prostatectomy. Retropubic sagittal prostatectomy proved technically simpler than Millin's retropubic operation, but with equally excellent results and probably slighter blood loss.